Starting med school apps, where do I stand?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Hi, this is my first post on college confidential so I don't really know what to include. I'm currently a Junior at NYU and am starting the application process with a packet the prehealth department has for ED to NYU Med (only offered for nyu undergrads). Here's a bit of my bio, I was wondering what I should focus on and how I can improve my application.</p>

<p>Race: Part of the overrepresented asian minority
Major: Neural Science - honors track
cGPA: 3.88 (had a B+ in a core curric english course that was required freshman year)
BCMP: 3.93 (dragged down by a couple A-'s in freshman year)
MCAT: N/A, planning to take it in one go in April after a bit of Orgo 2</p>

<p>Recs: Cardiologist that I've shadowed (I think will probably be strong)</p>

<p>Neural Science chair (was part of honors lab she taught and constantly communicated with her via email and advising)</p>

<p>Research Professor (did research with him for two years, unfortunately have not been able to publish anything since my postdoc left midway through a project and I was reassigned to a different project)</p>

<p>I was thinking of getting a fourth rec from one of the postdocs I worked with, but I'm not sure if that would aid my application. I'm sure it'll be strong because of how much I've contributed to their work but would med schools think it's too much from one research activity?</p>

<p>Extracurrics: Treasurer for Neural Science Society - helped raised membership from 30 to 70 members this year</p>

<p>Volunteer tutor 60+ hours for children of underrepresented minorities</p>

<p>Paid tutor for Chemistry, Biology, and Physics (basically to help me MCAT review) with a company in NYC</p>

<p>100+ volunteer hours at a local hospital - direct patient contact although nothing professional just organizing and leading activities for residents of a psych ward, my clinical experience witnessing specialized procedures and physician-patient interaction mainly came from 150+ hours of shadowing several physicians.</p>

<p>I got an EMT license because of personal life events that happened to me, but never found time to use it because of the time commitment for commuting required by the NYU EMT squad (they're located like an hour and a half away in Queens for some reason, that's three hours of commute alone)</p>

<p>Piano - 12 years, started experimenting with guitar and am taking some 2 credit music courses because for the past two semesters I've had 2 free credits available that nothing else fits into, idk if I should incorporate this into my app though.</p>

<p>My parents are telling me the average gpa for med is 3.8 and that I'm just average and should focus of coursework and MCAT to boost myself to a 3.9 cumulative and good MCAT score. I want to listen to them, but I also need to keep focusing on research because writing a senior thesis is required for graduating as a presidential scholar and honors in my major. I feel like what I've done so far is just typical premed student stuff and have nothing to set me apart, but I don't know what I can do this late in the game that would make a difference. Any suggestions or ideas to help me out?</p>

2

<p>Your parents are right. Get a good mcat score, and you could probably put together a solid app. Thats what you need to focus on from now till April</p>

3

<p>I like your chances. Take a practice mcats. Apply to a lot of schools. Read sdn a bit. Fwiw</p>

4

<p>You’ll need a LOR from a humanities or social science professor at many (most?) med schools.</p>

<p>Don’t bother mentioning the EMT on your application since you never used it. (EMT and CNA are meaningless unless you’ve actually used your training in a paid or volunteer position.)</p>

<p>But the rest of your CV looks good. Rock the MCAT and you’re good to go. Apply broadly, including your in-state publics.</p>

5

<p>i would at least mention your musical background as a minimum 12 years is a long time</p>

6

<p>can a lor from your honors college director substitute for a humanities prof?</p>

7

<p>Did the program director teach the student in question as part of an actual class? A freshman seminar of some sort?</p>

<p>Since your son’s school has a health committee-- he needs to ask the committee if it’s an acceptable substitute.</p>

8

<p>MCAT will be key. <a href=“https://www.aamc.org/download/321516/data/2012factstable25-3.pdf[/url]”>https://www.aamc.org/download/321516/data/2012factstable25-3.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>Keep…What is your home state?</p>

<p>I’m surprised that one B+ dropped your GPA that much. How many credits do you have total? </p>

<p>I think your GPA is fine. I wouldn’t call it “average”. If you get all A’s this semester, what will your GPA be?</p>

10

<p>Thanks for the suggestions everyone :), I’ll definitely be putting MCAT as my number 1 priority for this coming semester. I’m also planning to discuss my musical background in any essay or interview questions that will most likely come up about my interests outside of academia and the healthcare profession.</p>

<p>I’m in NY. I got a B+ in a 4.0 credit course called writing the essay, but also had several other A-'s in core curriculum humanities and an expressive cultures course that are required by NYU. So far, I’ve taken 90 credits worth of courses, but 28 credits carried over from my AP coursework.</p>